Ex-militants Vow To Deal With North If Jonathan Is Not Re-elected In 2015

Niger Delta ex-militant leaders on Monday issued a warning to northern leaders over the 2015 re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.


President Goodluck Jonathan

According to Vanguard, the repented militants, who gathered in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, under the aegis of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, said they would cut off the supply of petroleum products to Northern Nigeria, adding that they would also make sure that the north would not benefit from the crude oil proceeds generated from the Niger Delta region.

Reuben Wilson, the group's president while assessing the handling of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, projects by contractors revealed that their interest was to make sure Jonathan returned to office in 2015, noting that whosoever  that stand against the move would be considered an enemy of the region.

"We met in Oron to review developments in the country, particularly the interest of the Niger Delta people. You will agree that the Niger Delta is the main stay of the nation’s economy. You will also agree with me that the Niger Delta people are sustaining the economy at great inconveniences and pains to its people and the environment. This has been the only time that the region has had the privilege of producing a president for the country" he said. "It is unthinkable that the North will be plotting against our son, intimidating him with bomb blasts here and there and causing the untimely death of scores of innocent Nigerians, all because they want to take back power. We have always seen the need for us to live together as one indivisible country and that is what Mr. President believes in".
Related: Ex-Militant Leader Gives Presidency Condition To Sustain Peace In Delta

Meanwhile, the ex-militants is issuing this warning to the northern leaders in response to the activities of the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram. The sect has launched several deadly attacks of late, especially in the north-eastern part of the country. Earlier a massive attack by suspected Boko Haram members was launched in Kautikari, Kwada and Nguragila villages near Chibok in Borno State in the morning of June 29, 2014, Sunday, killing at least 56 people and burning down several houses.

It would be recalled that as part of efforts to curb the sect's menace, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno State, along with neighboring Adamawa State and Yobe State, on 14 May 2013